Got 10 minutes to spare? Help save trees from a cruel fate

by jmaloni

Press release

Mon, Jul 29th 2013 02:10 pm

Environmental
groups join USDA to recognize August as Tree Check Month, urging public to look
for the signs of the Asian longhorned beetle

The backyard barbecue. A hike in the woods. Camping or fishing in the
wilderness. Even a stroll in the neighborhood. These are all activities that
can make a difference in preserving the great outdoors, if you can spare a few
extra minutes to take a closer look at the surrounding trees, according to the
U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

USDA APHIS was joined at a news conference in Washington, D.C., Monday by
the U.S. Forest Service, the Nature Conservancy, and American Forests in urging
the public to join the battle against a devastating invasive pest, and tree
killer, the Asian longhorned beetle.

"Unfortunately once the ALB infests a tree, the tree must be
removed," said Scott Pfister, director for pest management of USDA APHIS.
"Early detection is crucial in the fight against this invasive pest. The
sooner an infestation is reported, the sooner efforts can be made to quickly
contain and isolate an area from future destruction."

The Asian longhorned beetle was first discovered in the U.S. in 1996, after
having arrived here probably inside wood packing material from Asia. The insect
has no known natural predators and it threatens recreational areas, forests and
suburban and urban shade trees. The beetle bores through the tissues that carry
water and nutrients throughout the tree, which causes the tree to starve,
weaken and eventually die. Once a tree is infested, it must be removed. It has
caused tens of thousands of trees to be destroyed in New Jersey, Ohio,
Massachusetts, New York and Illinois.

"The beetle attacks 13 genera of trees, but its greatest impacts may
be on maple trees," said Dr. Robert Rabaglia of the U.S. Forest Service.
"The economic and ecological health of the forests in the northeast is
threatened by this beetle. Maples grace our urban forests, are prized for their
colorful fall foliage and maple syrup projects, and are a prominent component
of the northern forests that range from southeastern Canada, through New
England to the Great Lakes."

Adult beetles are most active during the summer and early fall. They can be
seen on trees, branches, walls, outdoor furniture, cars and sidewalks, and
caught in pool filters. With these unique characteristics, the beetle can be
easy to see:

• 1 to 1.5 inches in length

• Long antennae banded in black
and white (longer than the insect's body)

• Shiny, jet black body with
random white spots

• Six legs

• Legs may appear bluish in
color

In addition to looking for the beetle, you can search for signs of
infestation, including:

• Sawdust-like materials, called
frass, on the ground and the branches

• Sap seeping from wounds in the
tree

"The ALB is generally spread by the movement of infested
firewood," said Faith Campbell, senior policy representative of The Nature
Conservancy. "Please be aware of the risks of transporting firewood. Buy
it at your destination and only purchase local firewood. Don't take it back
home with you."

This year, New Jersey became the second state to declare eradication from
the beetle. ALB was successfully eradicated from Illinois in 2008. In New York,
Manhattan, Staten Island and Islip are now free of the ALB. An area is declared
free of the ALB after all the infested trees are eliminated and surveys are
negative for active signs of beetle activity or the presence of the beetle.

"Trees are a critical part of our ecosystem," said Lea Sloan, vice
president of communications at American Forests. "And people like you are
critical members of the citizen scientist team that can make an essential
difference. Don't wait until it's too late and that beautiful hiking path or
favorite camping spot is closed to visitors because of a quarantine. Help us
stop the spread of this invasive pest."

The beetle is harmless to people and pets. If you think you've found an
Asian longhorned beetle or signs of infestation, always record the area where
the specimen or damage was found. If possible, capture the insect you think is
the beetle, place it in a jar and freeze it - this will preserve the insect for
easy identification. Visit www.asianlonghornedbeetle.com
for more information.

"The value of trees within our communities is immeasurable, and the
risk of devastation by the Asian longhorn beetle is profound," said
Woodrow Nelson from the Arbor Day Foundation. "Yet we've learned that the
threat can be thwarted. We've learned that this pest can and has been
eliminated in many areas. The success will be because of caring people helping
where they live."

USDA has made a concerted effort to deliver results for the American
people, even as USDA implements sequestration - the across-the-board budget
reductions mandated under terms of the Budget Control Act. USDA has already
undertaken historic efforts since 2009 to save more than $828 million in
taxpayer funds through targeted, common-sense budget reductions. These
reductions have put USDA in a better position to carry out its mission, while
implementing sequester budget reductions in a fair manner that causes as little
disruption as possible.